Court order arrest of Roque for trafficking

MANILA, Philippines —  A trial court in Angeles City, Pampanga has ordered the arrest of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong, among others, on charges of qualified trafficking over their alleged involvement in the operations of an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in the province.

Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 Judge Rene Reyes issued the warrants for Ong and Roque for violation of Section 4(1) in relation to Section 6 (c) of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The warrant was signed on May 8.

“After careful evaluation of the 11 separate information, the resolution and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to hold all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged,” the order read.

Reyes refused to grant bail on the cases Roque is facing.

Aside from Roque and Ong, the alleged “godfather” and “big boss” Duanren Wu was also ordered arrested. Wu owns real estate firm Whirlwind, the company that leased to the Lucky South 99 POGO.

The charges stemmed from the raid of Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, which allegedly operated a massive scam farm that trafficked workers.

Roque has admitted to lawyering for Whirlwind in an ejectment case and to helping Ong arrange meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to renew its POGO license.

Roque, however, said none of these acts amounted to human trafficking.

The Filipino incorporators, employees and a consultant were also ordered arrested, including former government official Dennis Cunanan.

Cunanan is also charged in the qualified trafficking case in the Bamban, Tarlac POGO, over which Alice Guo is currently being tried.

Aside from Roque, Ong and Wu, there are 46 others also ordered arrested.

‘Unjust prosecution’

In a statement, Roque, who claimed he was a victim of political persecution, said the issuance of the warrant “forms part of the unjust prosecution,” which he said will be included in his application for asylum in the Netherlands.

“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty which are currently under threat. I reiterate: this is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum,” he said.

Sought for comment, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Gilbert Cruz said law enforcement authorities were instructed to carry out the arrests with professionalism, restraint and adherence to human rights protocols.

Guo plea denied

Pasig RTC Branch 167 has denied the motions for leave to file a demurrer to evidence filed by Guo and her co-accused, effectively requiring them to present their defense in court.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss a case on the ground of insufficient evidence, filed after the prosecution rests its case.

The defense must first seek leave of court before filing such a motion to avoid waiving their right to present evidence should it be denied.

Guo’s defense was scheduled to begin presenting evidence on Wednesday, but the hearing was reset to May 19.

Pasig Assistant City Prosecutor Robinson Landicho confirmed the postponement but did not disclose the specific reason for the rescheduling.

Guo’s legal counsel declined to give a statement, citing their client’s request for silence.

The hearings were originally set for May 14 and 15.

When asked about Guo’s current condition at the Pasig City Jail, Landicho said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology continues to monitor and care for detainees under their custody.

Six major casinos in the country have terminated the operations of junket operators 9Dynasty Group and White Horse Club after an investigation showed their connection with the kidnapping and murder of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday.

The PNP earlier reported the P200-million ransom paid by Que’s family to his captors ended up in 10 different e-wallet accounts and was converted to cryptocurrency after passing through the junket operators.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo did not identify the casinos which stopped the operations of the junket operators.

An investigation report seen by The STAR identified the casinos, three of which are in Pasay and one in Parañaque.

The other gaming strip is in Clark in Pampanga while the other casino is in Cebu City.

Fajardo said around $1.36 million or P75.77 million of the ransom money was cashed out from Huione Pay, a financial firm based in Cambodia.

Around $205,942 or P11.43 million, also believed to be part of the ransom payment, was frozen after the Anti-Cybercrime Group coordinated with the cryptocurrency accounts abroad. - Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza